17 Comments
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Taylor Hine Barretta's avatar

Please keep your corner of the internet this lovely always! ✨

Melody Schwarting's avatar

Oh, thank you, Taylor ❤️

Ryan Hall's avatar

This was delightful, and somehow comforting to read. You sound like you really have an appreciation for the beauty of nature. Your Gothic reading reminded me of my own similar journey through that genre last Fall. I ended up reading the Mysteries of Udolpho, Rebecca, the Woman in White, the Moonstone, the Monk, Phantom of the Opera, and the Yellow Wallpaper. It was great.

Melody Schwarting's avatar

So many good choices! I haven't read Phantom of the Opera (though I've seen the adaptation) and always forget it's a book.

Phoebe Farag Mikhail's avatar

Oh I love your mapping of the vices in Mansfield Park! I would love to spend more time in France.

Melody Schwarting's avatar

Thank you! It was such a fun exercise and has me paying more attention to virtues/vices in Emma too. France was incredible, and I would love to go back!

Sarah Coogan's avatar

What a heavenly summer!

Random, but: to my shame, I had never heard "Sinnerman" until the figure skater Jason Brown started performing to it in 2020 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AOtExs-Xfo). I am pretty obsessed with it now...

Melody Schwarting's avatar

I had no idea someone had a figure skating performance to this song! Thank you for sharing!

Dominika's avatar

Magical! Lavender ice cream, Scottish summertime, Parisian embroidery store, alllll the books, typos and everything else! Hope you find the scissor arch and the gray (should it be grey??) books ;)

Melody Schwarting's avatar

I really had to think, what are my brand editing guidelines here? Since I’m not willing to do the “recognise” and “colour” route I opted for the US spelling—Persephone has enough US authors to understand! 😂 All in or nothing. It is a magical summer so far, so glad it resonated with you ❤️

Elizabeth Brink's avatar

Truly delightful! I love the combination of smells! I can imagine them all. We've been having such a mild summer here that I am re-discovering my love for it too. I love having my windows open at night to hear the soft night sounds (plus a rattling train every few hours ha!) and smell the creek behind the next house over. Joan Hassall's device is beautiful! I think I see a snake head fritillary in there too on the top right. I'm here for that cozy mystery series! That's such a great picture of Marcus! IYKYK!

Melody Schwarting's avatar

Oh, the night air from the creek! ❤️ You are such a part of that IYKYK! 😂 I hadn't noticed the snake head fritillary! There was a garden pot near my church that had them growing earlier this year. Glad to hear you are having a mild summer too. With all the heat extremes in the news it's good to remember there are still cool places!

Elizabeth Brink's avatar

Yes!! Thank goodness for cool places! I’m thinking of planting some fritillaries this fall in my north facing garden that has all my spring and shade happy plants. 😍

Melody Schwarting's avatar

Their pattern is just so unique and entrancing! I hope it succeeds for you! 💚👍

Sheila's avatar

Pure joy, this, Melody, and you swept us right into it. I think I might enjoy a summer like that, and the winter doesn't sound unbearable either to one who enjoys long evenings. As for that, I am suddenly reminded that our summers are bearable and our winters lovely, and there is little that settles me gratefully into my own spot so well as the gratitude of others for their spot.

Sofia Rose's avatar

Melody, this was a joy to read. Loved the glimpses into your French adventures. It's such a gift to watch you flourish doing what you love and were clearly made to do!

Melody Schwarting's avatar

🥹 Thank you, dear Sofia ❤️